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Do you know that even though colon cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, it’s the third most common type of non-skin cancer in both men (following prostate and lung cancer) and women (following breast and lung cancer)?

Do you know that colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in our country following lung cancer?

Do you know that being fifty years of age and older is a risk factor for developing colon cancer?

Do you know that colon cancer screenings may not only be the best form of early detection, but may also be a form of cancer prevention?

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Riverview Regional Medical Center in Carthage, Tennessee is helping to spread awareness about colon cancer and colon cancer screenings. One estimate is that nine out of ten colon cancer cases could be avoided or treated successfully when discovered early as the result of regular screening.

Risk Factors of Colon Cancer

Being age fifty and older

Having a family history of colon cancer

Excessive alcohol use

Obesity

Living a sedentary lifestyle

Smoking

Having a personal history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease

Speak with your health care provider about when to begin screening for colon cancer. The recommendation is that people with average risk should begin screenings at age fifty. If you’re at higher risk of developing colon cancer, your doctor may implement screenings at an earlier age.

Screening tests that can help your doctor find colon cancer early, when it’s most treatable, include:

High sensitivity fecal occult blood tests

Sigmoidoscopy

Colonoscopy

New methods of screening that you may discuss with your doctor.

Begin a discussion with your doctor regarding which tests may be most beneficial for you, and how often you need screening. You should take into account various factors including your age and general health, your personal and family medical history, costs of the tests, medical risks and follow-up care. Each test has its pros and cons. Discuss these issues with your doctor. If a screening reveals an abnormality, the screening fulfilled its purpose: to expose irregularities early for the most successful treatment.

Riverview Regional Medical Center in Carthage, Tennessee has a strong tradition of providing general medical and surgical care, 24-hour Emergency services and other high-quality, cost-effective healthcare services to the residents of our surrounding communities. For information regarding colon cancer screening and for all your family’s medical needs, call 615-735-1560.